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Women's National Premier League NSW

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NPL NSW Women’s stars dominate W-League player rosters

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As many as an incredible 75 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s football stars as well as three coaches will be headlining the 2020/2021 Westfield W-League competition set to kick off at the end of this month outlining yet again the strength that our elite female competition possess.

Football NSW’s longest serving Women’s top tier reporter and commentator Nikola Pozder was not surprised to see NSW come up top yet again with the amount of talented female football stars haling or playing from this state that are set to embark on a big year in the W-League.

“It’s amazing on all fronts to see this statistic continually grow year upon year as we’ve seen a huge increase in the development of our female football stars in our very own NPL NSW Women’s competition.

“I have seen this competition go from strength to strength and to see this happening in our national women’s competition is huge for the sport here in NSW.

“The quality of the NPL NSW Women’s competition was there for all to see this year as at least half of the clubs could have taken out the title – it’s a shame there were only eleven rounds as the standard of play and goals were next level. Seeing all this unfold is a true testament to all the clubs, coaches and players as well as the pathways that we see that are doing their job in unveiling some gems that are going on and representing our country also.

“Let’s not forget that this league produces stars that continue their journeys overseas as well, just take a look at former Football NSW Institute graduate and Bankstown City FC’s Vesna Milivojević who is now playing professionally in Europe and in the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Serbian side Spartak Subotica. You also have players that have come through via the NPL that have hit the United States like Remy Siemsen who has come back and has won Player of the Year and Golden Boot plaudits.”

A sprinkling of NSW coaches will also be at the forefront of the W-League competition with former Sydney Uni manager Alex Epakis joining the Perth Glory while the ever-present Ante Juric from Sydney Olympic will also feature with the Sky Blues of Sydney FC once more. Northern NSW’s Ashley Wilson will swap her Emerging Jets duties in the NPL NSW Women’s competition for W-League experience with the Newcastle Jets in what is yet another success story.

Thanks to one of Football NSW’s well-known journalists and commentators and a long-time female football advocate Eric Subijano, a detailed list of players that will line up with their respective W-League clubs following their NPL seasons can be seen below.

The future looks seemingly bright for the female game as we push towards that elusive 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand – until then, good luck to all our players and coaches and we cannot wait to see them all feature in our top tier Women’s competition post W-League season.

 

Adelaide United

Charlotte Grant (Blacktown Spartans)

Annalee Grove (Bankstown CIty)

 

Brisbane Roar

Jamilla Rankin (Football NSW Institute)

 

Canberra United
Ashlie Crofts (Blacktown Spartans)

Nickoletta Flannery (Sydney University)

Kendall Fletcher (Sydney University)

Isabella Foletta (Northern Tigers)

Bianca Galic (Sydney University)

Rachael Goldstein (Macarthur Rams)

Michelle Heyman (Sydney University)

Clare Hunt (Sydney University)

Sally James (Illawarra Stingrays)

Lauren Keir (Illawarra Stingrays)

Demi Koulizakis (Sydney University)

Grace Maher (Sydney University)

Jessika Nash (Football NSW Institute)

 

Melbourne City
Teigen Allen (APIA Leichhardt)

Hollie Palmer (Blacktown Spartans)

Tori Tumeth (Sydney University)

 

Melbourne Victory

Kyra Cooney-Cross (Blacktown Spartans)

 

Newcastle Jets

Lauren Allan (Northern Tigers)

Tara Andrews (Manly United)

Alisha Bass (NWS Koalas)
Hannah Brewer (Northbridge)

Evelyn Chronis (Northbridge)

Claire Coelho (Northern Tigers)

Cassidy Davis (Manly United)

Sunny Franco (Manly United)

Sophie Harding (NWS Koalas)

Tiana Jaber (Sydney University)

Taren King (Sydney University)

Chloe O’Brien (Manly United)

Panayiota Petratos (Bankstown City)

Rhianna Pollicina (APIA Leichhardt)

Gema Simon (Northern Tigers)

Nicole Simonsen (Manly United)

Tessa Tamplin (Emerging Jets)

Coach: Ashley Wilson (Emerging Jets)

 

Perth Glory

Deborah-Anne De La Harpe (APIA Leichhardt)

Patricia Charalambous (Macarthur Rams)

Alexia Moreno (Blacktown Spartans)

Sarah Morgan (Sydney University)

Coach: Alex Epakis (Sydney University)

 

Sydney FC

Ellie Brush (Northern Tigers)

Ally Green (Manly United)

Mackenzie Hawkesby (Sydney Olympic)

Angelique Hristodoulou (Sydney Olympic)

Princess Ibini-Isei (APIA Leichhardt)

Jada Mathyssen-Whyman (Sydney Olympic)

Charlotte McLean (Sydney Olympic)

Katie Offer (NWS Koalas)

Teresa Polias (Sydney Olympic)

Elizabeth Ralston (APIA Leichhardt)

Taylor Ray (Sydney Olympic)

Charlize Rule (Football NSW Institute)

Remy Siemsen (Manly United)

Natalie Tobin (NWS Koalas)

Cortnee Vine (Sydney Olympic)

Clare Wheeler (Sydney University)

Coach: Ante Juric (Sydney Olympic)

 

Western Sydney Wanderers

Margaux Chauvet (Illawarra Stingrays)

Teigan Collister (Sydney University)

Libby Copus-Brown (Manly United)

Caitlin Cooper (Illawarra Stingrays)

Rosie Galea (Blacktown Spartans)

Isabel Gomez (Football NSW Institute)

Bryleeh Henry (Football NSW Institute)

Sarah Hunter (Football NSW Institute)

Aideen Keane (Football NSW Institute)

Leena Khamis (Macarthur Rams)

Danika Matos (Illawarra Stingrays)

Chloe Middleton (Illawarra Stingrays)

Courtney Nevin (Sydney Olympic)

Courtney Newbon (Sydney University)

Susan Phonsongkham (Sydney Olympic)

Olivia Price (Illawarra Stingrays)

Georgia Yeoman-Dale (APIA Leichhardt)

Julie-Ann Russell (Sydney University)

Football NSW Institute stars awarded W-League deals with Wanderers

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Western Sydney Wanderers made a hattrick of Football NSW Institute signings as rising female young guns Aideen Keane, Isabel Gomez and Sarah Hunter will all wear the Red and Black in the upcoming Westfield W-League season.

All three players starred in the Institute’s 2020 National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s season having caught the eye of head Wanderers W-League coach Dean Heffernan.

Keane is a current Young Matilda and was part of the sides AFC U-19 Women’s Championship campaign last year.

The midfielder featured in seven matches and scored nine goals for the Institute this NPL Women’s this season.

Hunter and Gomez had also consistently featured in the midfield for the Institute playing in 11 matches each.

The trio join fellow teammate and Junior Matilda Bryleeh Henry who penned a deal with the club a couple of days prior.

Heffernan was pleased to have signed the trio this season.

“We’re very excited to have Aideen, Isabel and Sarah with us this season and are looking forward to helping them further developing at the Wanderers,” said Heffernan.

 

Manly United honour Kristie Crawford’s 20th season

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What a remarkable season it’s been for one of Manly United’s most dedicated and passionate footballers, reserve grade star Kristie Crawford was honoured over the weekend by the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s club at its annual awards evening having completed her 20th successive year with the Northern Beaches side.

Having first represented the club in 1998 as a fresh faced fourteen-year-old in the North Harbour Competition, Crawford has continued to don the famous blue kit of Manly since and has not looked back as the talented attacker has become a regular fixture at Cromer Park.

The CC Strikers junior and keen surfer adores her football and explained that her favourite part about playing the world game was the thrill of Game Day.

“I am a very competitive person and always look forward to a Sunday to get out on the pitch and play my best for my team and hopefully score goals,” Crawford stated on the official Manly United website.

“I grew up watching my Dad and Brother play, so I just followed suit.”

Asked what Manly United meant to her, Crawford promoted that the club was like family.

“I keep playing because once you retire there is no coming back and Manly is my club – the friendships that have been formed over the years it keeps me coming back. I will keep playing as long as I am good enough and get selected, how much longer that is we will have to see.”

Congrats Kristie, twenty-years for one club is an amazing achievement and one that needs to be celebrated.

Epakis swaps Sydney Uni for Perth Glory

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In an exciting coup for the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, former Championship winning Sydney University SFC coach Alex Epakis has been appointed as Perth Glory’s new W-League manager for the upcoming 2020/2021 season.

After guiding Sydney University to three consecutive NPL NSW Women’s Premierships as well as working as a senior assistant coach at Canberra United, it was only time until a W-League club was set to seek Epakis’ services.

Holding an A-Licence as well as a Masters Degree in Sports Coaching, Epakis was excited with the opportunity of working with the Glory with the aim of promoting local young Western Australian talent.

“We want to build a culture and environment that we are all proud of,” he said.

“It needs to be based on core outcomes that give us the best opportunity to develop as a team and be competitive in each match.

“A commitment to weekly improvement and working towards a style of play and process are important pieces in what I would like us to achieve as a team.”

Glory CEO Tony Pignata is confident that Epakis is the man to drive the club’s W-League side forward.

“Alex definitely has the range of experience, knowledge and passion required to be a successful W-League Head Coach,” he said.

“He is an outstanding coach and individual who will leave no stone unturned in his efforts to ensure that we have a strong, motivated and competitive W-League team this season.

“We will be fielding a young, hungry squad with a strong WA flavour this year and I would urge all our Members and fans to get along to the games and get right behind them.”

Alexander Epakis Fact File

– Current FFA/AFC A Licence Holder

– Master’s Degree in Sports Coaching

– Led Sydney University Women to NPL Premiership titles in 2018, 2019 and 2020

– Senior Assistant Coach at Canberra United in 2017

– Sydney FC Academy Head Coach 2015-2017

Spencer Prior appointed APIA Leichhardt Women’s NPL NSW Head Coach

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In a massive coup for the National Premier Leagues NSW Women’s competition, Former Matildas assistant and Thai Women’s National Team coach Spencer Prior has been appointed as the new 2021 APIA Leichhardt FC Head Coach.

A former English Premier League footballer playing for the likes of Norwich City, Leicester City, Derby County and Manchester City, Prior holds a Pro License coaching qualification.

Having taken some time off coaching, Prior saw this is a huge opportunity to challenge himself once more.

“I’ve been away from coaching for a few years and when I got the call it didn’t take long to get everything sorted. APIA ticks all the boxes.

“The club has a rich history in the game.

“The Women’s program has come leaps and bounds over the past few years.

“I’m really keen to pass on my experience of having worked with National teams both in Australia and Thailand.

“There has never been a greater need for NPL clubs to support female football development and ensure those that don’t go overseas are provided with the right environment.

“The club is extremely focused on providing the girls with a first class set up, the facilities are great, they are motivated, ambitious and have the right mentality.

“I feel APIA are best placed as a club to provide this for all ages and I’m really excited to get started.”